State Tournament Preview: Brackets & Team Capsules
In advance of this week's state tournament, which begins on Thursday in Lincoln, we will be publishing capsules for each of the 48 state-qualifying teams. We will publish the Class D-2 & D-1 capsules on Monday, the Class C-2 & C-1 capsules on Tuesday and the Class A & B capsules on Wednesday.
To view the brackets for each of the classes, please click HERE.
Class A
Omaha Marian Crusasders
Head coach: Rochelle Rohlfs
Record: 34-7
Number of State Appearances: 29th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 3
Three Players to Watch:
Sophia Terwilleger (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 333 kills, 44 ace serves, 408 digs.
Brittany Witt (5-foot-7, jr., libero) 639 digs, 578 serve receptions, 50 assists – Creighton recruit.
Andie Hanus (5-foot-7, jr., DS) 307 digs, 378 serve receptions, 34 ace serves – Missouri recruit.
Millard West Wildcats
Head coach: Erin Byrd
Record: 29-4
Number of State Appearances: 6th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 5
Three Players to Watch:
Cassidy Loberg (6-foot, jr., MB) 244 kills, 65 blocks.
Kira Shapiro (6-foot-1, sr., RS) 233 kills, 55 blocks.
Sydney Stockfleth (5-foot-8, jr., OH/DS) 176 kills, 324 digs.
Lincoln North Star Navigators
Head coach: Kristi Nelson-Hitz
Record: 22-9
Number of State Appearances: 5th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 7
Three Players to Watch:
Sarah Allick (6-foot-1, jr., MH) 266 kills, 86 blocks – Nebraska recruit.
Kailee Brown (5-foot-8, sr., setter) 879 assists, 40 kills, 252 digs.
Katie Hitz (6-foot-1, sr., MH) 189 kills, 97 blocks.
Lincoln Southeast Knights
Head coach: Annie Rice-Healey
Record: 28-4
Number of State Appearances: 8th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 2
Three Players to Watch:
Meagan Roth (5-foot-11, sr., OH) 290 kills, 29 blocks, 158 digs – Nebraska-Omaha recruit.
Kylee Wurster (5-foot-8, sr., setter) 1009 assists, 61 kills, 284 digs – Colorado Christian recruit.
Nerissa Moravec (6-foot-1, jr., MB) 174 kills, 43 blocks.
Papillion-LaVista South Titans
Head coach: Elena Pietro
Record: 25-15
Number of State Appearances: 6th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 6
Three Players to Watch:
Raegan LeGrand (5-foot-11, jr., OH) 461 kills, 27 ace serves, 327 digs – USC recruit.
Taliyah Flores (5-foot-9, fresh., OH) 347 kills, 41 ace serves, 354 digs.
Erin Warren (5-foot-8, sr., libero) 558 digs, 694 serve receptions, 63 kills – Bellevue University recruit.
Millard South Patriots
Head coach: Joanne Kappas
Record: 26-12
Number of State Appearances: 16th
Last Appearance: 2007
Seed: 8
Three Players to Watch:
Jamie Hauptman (5-foot-10, sr., OH) 498 kills, 22 blocks, 265 digs – Emporia State recruit.
Lauryn Hilger (5-foot-10, sr., OH) 456 kills, 64 blocks, 344 digs – Northwestern (Iowa) recruit.
Madison Stearns (5-foot-11, soph., MB) 148 kills, 75 blocks.
North Platte Bulldogs
Head coach: Laura Miller
Record: 30-5
Number of State Appearances: 17th
Last Appearance: 2009
Seed: 4
Three Players to Watch:
Olivia Nicholson (6-foot, jr., MB) 380 kills, 70 blocks, 173 digs – Colorado State recruit.
Allison Kuenle (5-foot-10, jr., OH) 392 kills, 38 blocks, 221 digs.
Jessy Hunt (6-foot-1, sr., MB) 181 kills, 82 blocks.
Papillion-LaVista Monarchs
Head coach: Kristen Lebeda-Svehla
Record: 40-0
Number of State Appearances: 29th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 1
Three Players to Watch:
Jess Peters (5-foot-10, sr., setter) 1130 assists, 70 kills, 61 blocks – Midland University recruit.
Priscilla O’Dowd (6-foot-1, sr., MH) 375 kills, 150 blocks, 92 digs – Midland University recruit.
Katie Stephens (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 387 kills, 47 blocks, 365 digs.
Class B
Gretna Dragons
Head coach: Mike Brandon
Record: 26-6
Number of State Appearances: 8th
Last Appearance: 2012
Seed: 6
Three Players to Watch:
Halie McCardle (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 354 kills, 43 ace serves, 372 digs – Wyoming recruit.
Amanda Young (5-foot-8, jr., OH) 241 kills, 25 ace serves, 390 digs – Colorado State recruit.
Mallory Yost (6-foot, soph., MH) 157 kills, 29 blocks.
Elkhorn South Storm
Head coach: Brianna Ritter
Record: 24-10
Number of State Appearances: 4th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 3
Three Players to Watch:
Ashley Knight (5-foot-9, sr., setter) 1016 assists, 73 kills, 270 digs – Villanova recruit.
Kelsey Green (6-foot-1, jr., MB) 393 kills, 36 blocks, 229 digs.
Sarah Swanson (6-foot-1, soph., MB) 164 kills, 35 blocks.
Elkhorn Antlers
Head coach: Jenny Gragert
Record: 24-9
Number of State Appearances: 19th
Last Appearance: 2010
Seed: 5
Three Players to Watch:
Nicole Skovsende (5-foot-8, jr., OH) 254 kills, 38 blocks, 305 digs.
Dani Carlson (6-foot, jr., setter) 520 assists, 126 kills, 152 digs.
Allison Hotovy (6-foot, sr., MB) 142 kills, 57 blocks.
Grand Island Northwest Vikings
Head coach: Diane Rouzee
Record: 26-6
Number of State Appearances: 23rd
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 4
Three Players to Watch:
Erin Schleicher (6-foot, sr., RS) 146 kills, 53 blocks.
Allison Beckmann (5-foot-10, sr., MH) 165 kills, 58 blocks.
Alexandra Carlini (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 139 kills, 33 blocks, 329 digs.
Aurora Huskies
Head coach: Lois Hixson
Record: 29-7
Number of State Appearances: 15th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 2
Three Players to Watch:
Allison Penner (5-foot-11, sr., setter) 961 assists, 120 kills, 304 digs – UNC-Greensboro recruit.
Kiley Hixson (6-foot, jr., OH) 438 kills, 36 ace serves, 445 digs.
Logan Ohlson (5-foot-7, sr., OH) 253 kills, 41 ace serves, 406 digs.
Lincoln Pius X
Head coach: Jake Moore
Record: 20-19
Number of State Appearances: 25th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 8
Three Players to Watch:
Sara Boothe (5-foot-7, sr., setter) 1008 assists, 109 kills, 450 digs – Coastal Carolina recruit.
Kaitlin VanLoon (5-foot-11, sr., MB) 298 kills, 39 blocks, 133 digs.
Madison Grendahl (5-foot-9, soph., OH) 209 kills, 162 digs.
Omaha Skutt Skyhawks
Head coach: Renee Saunders
Record: 34-5
Number of State Appearances: 9th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 1
Three Players to Watch:
Claire Knust (6-foot, sr., MB) 317 kills, 172 blocks.
Alyssa Woodman (5-foot-11, jr., OH) 317 kills, 69 blocks, 413 digs.
Alli Schomers (5-foot-9, soph., setter) 457 assists, 121 kills, 95 blocks.
Norris Titans
Head coach: Christina Boesiger
Record: 28-5
Number of State Appearances: 19th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 7
Three Players to Watch:
Kylie Hohlen (5-foot-10, sr., OH) 336 kills, 68 ace serves, 320 digs – Furman recruit.
Maddy Bruder (5-foot-11, sr., OH) 373 kills, 39 blocks, 237 digs – Northwest Missouri State recruit.
Payton Ruhl (5-foot-10, sr., setter) 821 assists, 138 kills, 54 ace serves – Wayne State recruit.
Class C-1
Chadron Cardinals
Head coach: Don Matt
Record: 29-4
Number of State Appearances: 6th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 4
Three Players to Watch:
Jadyn McCartney (6-foot, soph., OH) 405 kills, 43 ace serves, 327 digs.
Chandler Hageman (5-foot-8, jr., MH) 339 kills, 65 blocks, 318 digs.
Kiana Wright (5-foot-7, soph., setter) 933 assists, 50 kills, 32 ace serves.
Ashland-Greenwood Bluejays
Head coach: Megsn Rossell
Record: 13-17
Number of State Appearances: 4th
Last Appearance: 2011
Seed: 8
Three Players to Watch:
Jessica Klaudt (5-foot-11, jr., MH) 141 kills, 30 blocks.
Ashley Carroll (5-foot-4, fresh., OH) 131 kills, 20 ace serves, 207 digs.
Hailey Pollard (5-foot-4, sr., libero) 332 digs.
Columbus Scotus Shamrocks
Head coach: Joe Held
Record: 20-8
Number of State Appearances: 29th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 5
Three Players to Watch:
Maeghan Pieper (5-foot-11, jr., MH) 329 kills, 37 blocks, 158 digs.
Kimberly Stutzman (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 238 kills, 26 blocks, 300 digs.
Morgan Thorson (5-foot-6, jr., setter) 801 assists, 32 kills, 144 digs.
Kearney Catholic Stars
Head coach: Kris Conner
Record: 30-1
Number of State Appearances: 16th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 1
Three Players to Watch:
Morgan Stute (5-foot-5, sr., libero) 345 digs, 70 ace serves, 27 kills – University of Nebraska-Kearney recruit.
Anna Squires (5-foot-11, soph., MH) 214 kills, 46 blocks, 11 ace serves.
Allie Prososki (5-foot-6, sr., setter) 697 assists, 57 kills, 103 digs.
Wahoo Warriors
Head coach: Trish Larson
Record: 30-3
Number of State Appearances: 2nd
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 6
Three Players to Watch:
Katie Reeves (5-foot-11, sr., MH) 249 kills, 57 blocks, 45 ace serves.
Gabrielle Shannon (5-foot-11, MB) 255 kills, 12 blocks, 284 digs.
Kinsley Tingelhoff (5-foot-8, fresh., setter) 981 assists, 29 kills, 41 ace serves.
Grand Island Central Catholic Crusaders
Head coach: Sharon Zvala
Record: 25-7
Number of State Appearances: 28th
Last Appearance: 2012
Seed: 7
Three Players to Watch:
Emma Benton (5-foot-10, sr., OH) 482 kills, 34 blocks, 347 digs – Emporia State recruit.
Sara Goering (5-foot-7, jr., OH) 192 kills, 35 ace serves, 402 digs.
Laura Lowry (5-foot-8, jr., setter) 912 assists, 27 kills, 180 digs.
Ogallala Indians
Head coach: Steve Morgan
Record: 29-5
Number of State Appearances: 28th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 3
Three Players to Watch:
Kendall Schroer (6-foot, sr., MH) 331 kills, 71 blocks, 100 digs.
Jenna Paloucek (5-foot-6, sr., setter) 880 assists, 34 kills, 177 digs.
Shelby Welsh (5-foot-8, sr., OH) 232 kills, 67 ace serves, 283 digs.
Omaha Concordia Mustangs
Head coach: Kiley Hansen
Record: 32-1
Number of State Appearances: 3rd
Last Appearance: 2011
Seed: 2
Three Players to Watch:
Megan Wickey (6-foot-2, sr., OH) 383 kills, 32 ace serves, 229 digs – Ohio State recruit.
Averey Yaksich (6-foot, soph., OH) 262 kills, 58 ace serves, 278 digs.
Faith Johnson (5-foot-9, jr., MB) 126 kills, 46 blocks.
Class C-2
Elmwood-Murdock Knights
Head coach: Kim Tennal
Record: 25-5
Number of State Appearances: 3rd
Last Appearance: 2011
Seed: 6
Three Players to Watch:
Hanna Justesen (5-foot-9, sr., OH) 439 kills, 40 blocks, 43 ace serves, 275 digs – George Washington recruit.
Abigayle Meyer (6-foot, soph., OH) 225 kills, 46 blocks.
Sheridan Spohr (5-foot-4, sr., setter) 571 assists, 146 digs.
Sutton Fillies
Head coach: Adam Kuntz
Record: 27-5
Number of State Appearances: 4th
Last Appearance: 2009
Seed: 7
Three Players to Watch:
Kailyn Wiseman (5-foot-5, soph., libero) 424 digs, 629 serve receptions, 30 ace serves.
Sydney Griess (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 256 kills, 19 blocks, 207 digs.
McKenna Griess (5-foot-11, jr., MH) 213 kills, 56 blocks.
Hastings St. Cecilia Hawkettes
Head coach: Alan VanCura
Record: 29-4
Number of State Appearances: 20th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 3
Three Players to Watch:
Clare Hamburger (5-foot-9, sr., setter/OH) 429 assists, 308 kills, 47 ace serves – Hastings College recruit.
Lil Sheehy (5-foot-8, jr., OH) 228 kills, 238 digs.
Josie Prevette (5-foot-8, sr., MH) 272 kills, 43 blocks.
Guardian Angels Central Catholic Bluejays
Head coach: Kate Hagemann
Record: 29-4
Number of State Appearances: 16th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 4
Three Players to Watch:
Jamie Petz (5-foot-5, sr., setter) 856 assists, 40 kills, 213 digs.
Kathleen Steuter (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 307 kills, 43 blocks, 302 digs.
Madeline Knobbe (6-foot-1, jr., MH) 242 kills, 118 blocks.
Southern Valley Eagles
Head coach: Sandy Miller
Record: 25-8
Number of State Appearances: 1st
Last Appearance: N/A
Seed: 8
Three Players to Watch:
Laura McInturf (5-foot-11, sr., MH) 557 kills, 126 blocks, 194 digs.
Savana Quinn (5-foot-4, soph., setter) 839 assists, 117 kills, 269 kills.
Cassandra Bose (5-foot-7, fresh., MH) 152 kills, 38 blocks, 228 digs.
Crofton
Head coach: Susie Johnson
Record: 27-0
Number of State Appearances: 7th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 1
Three Players to Watch:
Maria Wortmann (5-foot-11, sr., MH) 386 kills, 79 blocks, 288 digs – Wayne State recruit.
Allison Arens (5-foot-9, sr., OH) 222 kills, 54 ace serves, 272 digs.
Kelsey Sanger (5-foot-6, soph., OH) 170 kills, 30 blocks, 40 ace serves.
Freeman Falcons
Head coach: Dani White
Record: 30-0
Number of State Appearances: 12th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 2
Three Players to Watch:
Carley Remmers (6-foot-1, sr., MH) 378 kills, 54 blocks, 263 digs – University of Ohio recruit.
Marissa Haynes (5-foot-11, sr., OH) 215 kills, 25 blocks, 176 digs.
Riley Dorn (5-foot-9, sr., setter) 801 assists, 25 kills, 38 ace serves.
Centura Centurions
Head coach: Allison Feeny
Record: 22-8
Number of State Appearances: 2nd
Last Appearance: 1988
Seed: 5
Three Players to Watch:
Casey Krolikowski (5-foot-10, sr., OH/setter) 344 assists, 236 kills, 65 blocks – Hastings College recruit.
Madalyn Roth (5-foot-11, jr., MB) 172 kills, 80 blocks.
Mariah Neville (5-foot-5, sr., libero) 528 digs, 567 serve receptions, 18 ace serves.
Class D-1
Diller-Odell Griffins
Head coach: Kandy Jurgens
Record: 27-6
Number of State Appearances: 1st
Last Appearance: N/A
Seed: 5
Three Players to Watch:
Madison Jurgens (5-foot-9, soph., OH) 387 kills, 424 assists, 314 digs, 64 ace serves, 75 blocks.
Josie Vitosh (6-foot, sr., setter) 509 assists, 137 kills, 276 digs.
Madison Hajek (5-foot-9, soph., MH) 229 kills, 97 blocks.
Emerson-Hubbard Pirates
Head coach: Kendra Boden
Record: 28-4
Number of State Appearances: 2nd
Last Appearance: 1974
Seed: 4
Three Players to Watch:
Kylie Belt (6-foot-1, jr., MH) 292 kills, 28 blocks, 198 digs.
Payton Blanke (5-foot-6, jr., setter) 383 assists, 48 kills, 171 digs.
Abby Drieling (5-foot-7, jr., OH) 152 kills, 246 digs.
Cedar Bluffs Wildcats
Head coach: Janelle Stansberry
Record: 26-3
Number of State Appearances: 2nd
Last at Appearance: 1991
Seed: 6
Three Players to Watch:
Shelby Lineberry (5-foot-6, sr., setter) 498 assists, 40 kills, 186 digs.
Mandi Stansberry (5-foot-8, jr., OH) 222 kills, 30 ace serves, 234 digs.
Emilee Klahn (5-foot-10, fresh., MH) 161 kills, 22 blocks, 137 digs.
Axtell Wildcats
Head coach: Brad Nelson
Record: 28-3
Number of State Appearances: 12th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 3
Three Players to Watch:
Hannah Kring (5-foot-10, sr., MH) 442 kills, 83 blocks, 30 ace serves
Ashley Snell (5-foot-4, soph., setter) 758 assists, 22 ace serves, 141 digs.
Kit Wells (5-foot-4, sr., OH) 218 kills, 23 ace serves, 241 digs.
Ansley-Litchfield Spartans
Head coach: Pat Hoblyn
Record: 31-1
Number of State Appearances: 2nd
Last Appearance: 2012
Seed: 2
Three Players to Watch:
Lindsey Siegel (5-foot-9, sr., MH) 361 kills, 112 blocks, 45 ace serves.
Shawna Paitz (5-foot-7, sr., OH) 238 kills, 34 blocks, 71 ace serves.
Nicole Wardyn (5-foot-5, sr., libero) 356 digs, 229 serve receptions, 25 ace serves.
Brady Eagles
Head coach: Lynne Johnson
Record: 21-8
Number of State Appearance: 6th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 7
Three Players to Watch:
Tara Callahan (6-foot-1, soph., setter) 282 kills, 260 assists, 78 blocks.
Josie Palmer (6-foot, sr., MH) 258 kills, 122 blocks, 169 digs.
Hannah Destefano (5-foot-7, soph., OH) 77 kills, 43 ace serves, 109 digs.
O’Neill St. Mary’s Cardinals
Head coach: McKenzie Connot
Record: 31-0
Number of State Appearances: 4th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 1
Three Players to Watch:
Mackenzie Wecker (5-foot-5, sr., libero) 340 digs, 31 ace serves – Midland University recruit.
Bridget Schneider (5-foot-4, sr., setter) 708 assists, 32 ace serves, 153 digs.
Krissy Krotter (5-foot-8, sr., OH) 262 kills, 21 ace serves, 149 sigs.
Humphrey St. Francis Flyers
Head Coach: Dean Korus
Record: 16-11
Number of State Appearances: 20th
Last Appearance: 2008
Seed: 8
Three Players to Watch:
Kalli Hackerott (5-foot-8, sr., OH) 226 kills, 14 blocks, 332 digs.
Kaitlynn Sjuts (6-foot, jr., MH) 136 kills, 59 blocks.
Holly Podiska (5-foot-9, jr., MH) 139 kills, 58 blocks, 183 digs.
Class D-2
Bertrand Vikings
Head coach: Lisa Mason
Record: 26-4
Number of State Appearances: 6th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 4
Three Players to Watch:
Jadyn High (5-foot-6, sr., setter) 791 assists, 41 kills, 52 ace serves.
Kristine Edgren (5-foot-6, soph., OH) 315 kills, 47 ace serves, 254 digs.
Mollie Kaps (5-foot-10, jr., MH) 255 kills, 27 blocks, 275 digs.
Wynot Blue Devils
Head coach: Tammy Wieseler
Record: 21-9
Number of State Appearances: 5th
Last Appearance: 2011
Seed: 6
Three Players to Watch:
Cortney Arkfeld (5-foot-9, soph., MH) 285 kills, 84 blocks, 277 digs.
Jenna Heine (5-foot-7, sr., setter) 527 assists, 34 kills, 318 digs.
Danielle Wieseler (5-foot-3, jr., DS) 529 digs, 13 ace serves.
Exeter-Milligan Timberwolves
Head coach: Darcy White
Record: 24-7
Number of State Appearances: 8th
Last Appearance: 2012
Seed: 3
Three Players to Watch:
Amber Pribyl (5-foot-10, sr., MB) 252 kills, 82 blocks, 117 digs – Midland University recruit.
Madison Horne (5-foot-5, sr., OH) 234 kills, 29 ace serves, 235 digs.
Sydney Hall (5-foot-9, soph., setter) 727 assists, 24 kills, 142 digs.
Crawford Rams
Head coach: Taylor Rohde
Record: 22-5
Number of State Appearances: 3rd
Last Appearance: 2002
Seed: 7
Three Players to Watch:
Kaitlin Rudloff (5-foot-9, jr., MH) 318 kills, 103 blocks, 198 digs.
Haley Hanks (5-foot-6, sr., setter) 305 assists, 28 kills, 48 ace serves.
Lacie Lietka (5-foot-4, sr., setter) 286 assists, 39 kills, 224 digs.
Stuart Broncos
Head coach: Stacey Dexter
Record: 23-4
Number of State Appearances: 7th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 1
Three Players to Watch:
Harlee Fischer (5-foot-8, soph., OH) 164 kills, 54 ace serves, 194 digs.
Courtni Kunz (5-foot-10, sr., MH) 179 kills, 63 blocks.
Jaden Schafer (5-foot-5, jr., setter) 665 assists, 42 kills, 249 digs.
Mullen Broncos
Head coach: Belinda Cobie
Record: 19-10
Number of State Appearances: 6th
Last Appearance: 2012
Seed: 8
Three Players to Watch:
Ally Ginkens (5-foot-9, jr., OH) 259 kills, 54 blocks, 193 digs.
Jessica Lovitt (5-foot-9, sr., MH) 227 kills, 62 blocks, 143 digs.
Emily Kramer (5-foot-8, sr., RS) 64 kills, 292 assists, 128 digs.
Lawrence-Nelson Raiders
Head coach: Michelle Harrington
Record: 22-7
Number of State Appearances: 6th
Last Appearance: 2010
Seed: 5
Three Players to Watch:
Kelsey Menke (5-foot-8, jr., MH) 219 kills, 90 blocks.
Cherokee Frahm-Thayer (5-foot-5, jr., OH) 148 kills, 28 ace serves, 408 digs.
Alyssa Miller (5-foot-6, jr., setter) 447 assists, 30 kills, 173 digs.
Giltner Hornets
Head coach: Kurt Polt
Record: 24-4
Number of State Appearances: 14th
Last Appearance: 2013
Seed: 2
Three Players to Watch:
Jaclyn Happold (5-foot-8, sr., setter) 715 assists, 65 kills, 94 digs.
Chainey Tompkin (6-foot, jr., MH) 285 kills, 80 blocks, 27 ace serves.
Baily Craig (6-foot-2, sr., MH) 215 kills, 59 ace blocks.
